At night, in Yuuka's small apartment. After finishing all the "normal" tasks of a high school girl and ramen shop worker, I returned to my own "world". On the rug in the bedroom, I sat facing the G17.
Tonight, my practice was... quick magazine change. A basic skill, but extremely important in any gunfight, virtual or real. In FPS games, it was just pressing the 'R' key. In reality... I didn't know how it would be.
I took the G17 out of the Spatial Inventory. The familiar cold metal in my hand. The heavy feeling. The System also provided me with an empty magazine (also from the Spatial Inventory, I don't know where it got it).
System, guide for quick magazine change G17.
[Information on 'Quick Magazine Change' operation for G17 is available. Initiating guidance.]
[Step 1: The non-dominant hand (left hand) prepares the new magazine. Grip the magazine firmly with fingers, facing the bullet tip (imagine) upwards.]
[Step 2: The thumb of the dominant hand (right hand) straightens, presses firmly and decisively on the magazine release button (located on the left side of the frame).]
[Step 3: Simultaneously with pressing the release button, tilt the gun slightly so the old (empty) magazine falls out under gravity. Do not use the dominant hand to pull the old magazine out.]
[Step 4: As soon as the old magazine falls out, quickly insert the new magazine (from the non-dominant hand) into the magazine well under the grip.]
[Step 5: Push the new magazine firmly into the well until you hear a 'click' or feel it lock into place. You can use the palm of the non-dominant hand to lightly tap the bottom of the magazine to ensure it's seated.]
[Step 6: (If necessary) Use the non-dominant hand to pull the slide back then release it to chamber the first round.] (The System noted "If necessary" because a quick reload might not require pulling the slide if there's still a round in the chamber or if performed when the slide is open).
A 6-step process, sounds simple.
I held the G17 with my right hand. The empty magazine was in the gun. My left hand grasped the second empty magazine (imagining it was a new, full one).
Start.
I pressed the thumb of my right hand onto the magazine release button. The small, horizontal button.
Press...
Quite stiff. I had to use force with my thumb, slightly tensing my whole hand.
Click.
The empty magazine slipped out a bit. I tried to tilt the gun as instructed.
Clack.
The magazine fell onto the wooden floor. The sound echoed clearly in the quiet night.
Damn it, so loud! I cursed inwardly.
Immediately brought the "new" magazine (the empty one I just picked up) to the well. I tried to insert it quickly and straight.
But my left hand trembled slightly. The magazine was angled. Didn't lock into place.
Gah! Why did it slip like that?!
I fumbled, trying to push the magazine in. Lost a few precious seconds.
Click.
Finally, it locked into place.
The whole process... slow, clumsy. Not quick like in the game at all.
Completion time: 4.8 seconds. The System reported.
4.8 seconds?! In the game, this action took less than 1 second! Too slow! Too slow!!
Frustration surged. The feeling of my limbs not obeying was really annoying. This body... it was still too unfamiliar. Not enough strength in my thumb. Poor coordination between my two hands.
In the game, just press R and it's done! Why is it so complicated and difficult in real life?!
I lay flat on the floor, staring at the ceiling. A feeling of helplessness mixed with annoyance.
But then, I sat up again.
Mustn't be discouraged. Games are games, life is life. In a game, I could have divine reflexes. In real life, I have to practice.
Again!
I picked up the empty magazine again. Inserted it into the gun. Left hand prepared the "new" magazine.
Pressed the magazine release button. Tilted the gun. The old magazine fell out. Inserted the new magazine into the well. Pushed hard.
Click. Clack. Scrape. Click.
This time felt a little faster.
Completion time: 4.1 seconds.
Progress! Even if only 0.7 seconds.
I repeated. Repeated. Dozens of times. Hundreds of times.
My thumb started to feel sore from pressing the magazine release button. My arms ached from trying to hold the gun and perform the action. My whole body warmed up from the focus and light exertion.
I focused entirely on the feeling. The feeling of pressing the button. The feeling of the magazine sliding out. The feeling of the new magazine locking into place. Listening for the decisive 'click' sound when it was in the correct position. Trying to memorize the "feel" of the correct operation.
Sometimes, I made mistakes. The old magazine would get stuck a bit. The new magazine wouldn't lock in immediately. At those times, I'd feel annoyed, but quickly composed myself, analyzed the error, and did it again.
My left hand gradually became more used to holding and orienting the magazine. My right thumb seemed a little stronger. The tilting motion was also more natural.
I closed my eyes, imagining being in a real combat situation. Enemies in front. Magazine empty. Need to reload immediately. Life depending on the speed and accuracy of this action.
The imaginary pressure made my heart beat faster, but also increased my concentration.
Must be faster! Fast like in the game!
After about an hour, my whole body was exhausted. I couldn't concentrate anymore.
System, return G17 to Spatial Inventory.
[Command confirmed. Item 'Handgun: G17' has been transferred to Spatial Inventory.]
The gun disappeared. My hand was empty, but the numb sensation was still there.
I collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. The faint smell of sweat. Looked up at the dark ceiling. My whole body ached. But in my mind, there was a small satisfaction. I had started. The first step had been taken.
From a programmer who only knew how to shoot on a screen, I was learning to use it in real life. With the body of a 16-year-old girl. Under the guidance of a strange System. In a world where guns and strange items fall from the sky.
This was my new life. Ordinary mixed with the extraordinary. Difficulty piled upon difficulty.
But I wouldn't stop. I would keep practicing. Little by little. Until this body, this hand, could use the G17 skillfully.
Because I knew, there would be a day, when I would need it.
And when that day comes, I will no longer just run or be helpless. I will fight. With what I have learned.
The journey of the young girl and the weapon, in the Drop Item world, had just begun with this late-night lesson full of sweat and clumsiness.